Motorists in the Valley have expressed their anger after a website revealed that fuel prices in Rossendale are higher than in neighbouring areas.

Recent price comparison figures obtained by the Free Press show that filling up with either unleaded or diesel costs more in Rossendale than some neighbouring areas.

Furthermore, supermarket giant Tesco, which has service stations at its supermarkets in Rawtenstall and Haslingden, has come under fire for charging its customers more than it does in Burnley or Bury – a policy it defends as “local pricing”.

A survey of prices obtained via the petrolprices.com website showed that on January 4, the retail giant was charging 3p more per litre of diesel in Rawtenstall and Haslingden than at other branches – the equivalent of around £1 more to fill an average-sized car.

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A Tesco spokesperson said: “We know that low fuel prices are important to our customers so, like all major fuel retailers, we have a local pricing policy to provide great value to shoppers in the Lancashire area.”

Drivers across the country could face further price rises at all petrol stations this year with the cost of crude oil expected to rise.